The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-20

to some negro men rs to what to do further for |
them, and said:
Come into the house, gentlemen. My |
daughter will be very glad to see you, and the |
women are at work getting supper for you"
As Serg't Blasdell assembled the stone-steps, |
with saber banging over each, the most fasei- /
mating young woman he had ever looked upon |
stood in the doorway, with an Outstretched hand |
and a warm smile of welcome tightening up a
face Of remarkable beauty. She was little
above the common hight, and there was a rare
grace in every curve of her limbs and body,
and in every motion.
Blaisdell had always thought himselffar from
impressiouable, but now thrill came over
him, as he took her soft little hand in his and
he felt that he would gladly give the whole
world, if he had it. to call such a peerless
creature his own. He stammered a few con-
fused words in reply TO her welcome, and chung
to her hand. Her own color came vividly, she
dropt her eyes to the ground, and allowed her
hand to rest in his an instant longer than was
absolutely necessary for politeness' sake, and
then withdrew it softly to extend to the next
man.
The troopers laid off their arms in the room
and made ready for supper, with buzz Of graf
ifed comment on their streak of good fortune.
but Blaisdell did not join in the talk He had
eyes and hearing only for the beautiful girl
who was gliding about experimenting the
preparations for supper. His eyes followed her
constantly, and when twice or thrice she
looked upsuddenly and noticed this, she biushed
and softly smiled as she turned her head away,
in a manner that indicated that she was far
from being displeased thereat.
She appeared even more enchanting TO Blais-
dell when she took her seat at the table and
played the hostess. He had the keen appetite
OF youth and vigorous health, still farther en-
HANGED by ride of 10 miles across the breezy
mountains. The biscuits and honey and the
savory ham and eggs were luxurious con-
trast to the substantial camp fare Of bareback
and bacon, but the white hand which heaped
these dainties upon his plate and the silvery
voice ringing in his ear, made his palate a for
gotten element.
"Pve heard of falling in love at irst sight,
whispered Moore to Nevins, "but never saw
such an Out-and-out case as this before. Ned
went to pieces at the first look, and he's total
wreck now. We've got it on him bad at last and
we can pay him back for some of the superior
talk he's been in the habit Of getting off to us
when we happened to get little smtten. You
remember how he used to lecture his partner
Timmins, about making fool of himself over
that girl at Somerset"
"Well, think" whispered Nevins back,
" that the girl s as badly gone as Ned is. Them
black curls of his, and his SOFT aiTeetiOnate way
caught her on sight, and now she can't see any
body at the table but him."
Blaisdell was recalled to the errand upon
which he had come by Mr. Duckett saying in
a cool, business-like way:
well. Captain" (the other boys smiled and
nudged each other at this title,l what's your
plan for catching Eberly?"
" If had my way" said Blaisdell, straight
ening himself up at the thought, 81 should
like to meet him IL an open field, mounted, and
settle the matter with sabers."
"Hooray," shouted the young guide, who had
kept silent with the greatest difficulty, and
now could contain himself no longer; that's
the way to talk"
Jimmy" said Mr.. Duckett, severely, "don't
shout that way again"
The fire flashed from his black eyes as he
spoke, and those who looked at him felt that
Dir. Eberly would find more than his match in
such contest. Matilda Duckett's adnirng
eyes showed that she at least had OF the slight
est doubt as to the result of such contest.
That just took her breath away" whispered
Nevins
Hes not likely to give you such chance"
said Mr.. Duckett. " Bob Eberly prides himself
on his skill with a revolver, and he has the
reputation OF drawing quicker and shooting
truer than any other man in this part of Ten
nessee. Many a time I've seen him whip his
shooter out like fash and knock the head
\ OFF chipmunk or pheasant at 80 PAGES. Your
best way'd be for all Of you to lay for him as
he comes mp the road and let him have it
without any warming"
"Tildas rosy cheek paled.
Il shall do nothing of the kind said Blais-
| dell, firmly. "Pm going to tackle him single
handed and alone. / can use a revolver pretty
| well myself All want Of you boys address
ing himself to his squad) is to take of who
ever may be with him. I'll answer for him :;
he's my meat-I beg your pardon (tO Miss
Matilda) for the slang. Camp talk will crop
| out when one least expects it,"
II had thought" said Mr.. Duckett reflect
| lively, that you men might hide in this room,
and wait till he came in, and then jump on to
| him and his crowd, whom they want look
| ing. In that case I could help with my double
barreled shotgun. l suppose that If we did
that, though. the rebels around here would
| burn my house and kill off my stock"
mo, Mr.. Duckett," said Blaisdell, a. cannot
| allow you to be implicated in any way that
will injure you. If you only know which way
he will come / viii ride down that way and
meet him before he reaches the house."
/ IN go along an pint him out TO you" said
the irrepressible Jimmy.
"Listen," said Mr.. Duekett, suddenly.
"There's someone coming up the road now.
/ Mebbe that's him."
The troopers rose, as if to spring to their
arms, but gesture from Mr.. Duekett stOpt
them. Make no noise. Listen"
/ All stood like statues.
THAT is him." said Mr.. Duckett, after lis
Il -
single-footed racker as far as / can hear it.
| There's more with him-fye or six, should
say"
"Get your arms, boys" said Blaisdell, draw
ing his revolver from its sheath, but letting
his saber and earbine remain with the belt,
where he had lain them.
They've stOpt at the gate" said Duekett.
They're sending a man around to the back
door. The rest Of 'em are coming up the front
| walk"
Blaisdell seemed to inhale the prospect Of a
| desperate fight as one does sweet perfume. His
nostrils expanded, and his body appeared to
swell up while his hight increased. tie looked
with unutterable fondness at the lovely girl by
his side, and snatehing up her hand with his
dsengaged left, carried it to his lips and kissed
it passiOnately. "In five minutes" he said,
"Ill ask you to be my wife. or III be dead
man"
~ am yours forever, whether you are dead
| or alive" she answered.
The spirit of combat mounted in him. "Nev-
ms" he said to why, cat-like boy, pull OFF
| your boots, draw your saber, slip out through
the door, and lay for that fellow that's tramp
ing around this way. Give him fierce point,
and run him through to the hilt Then the
rest of you slip around on the grass, and go for
the fellows at the front door, Wait though, a
minute, till you hear shot in the house, before
| you begin firing and then make dead sure"
They heard the front door thrown open and
| heavy footstep in the unexpected hall.
! That's Eberly's step" said the father; "he's
going into the front room"
"You and your father stay here" said Blais-
deII IavinO his hand tenderlv on the girIts